by our College Data Analytics Team
[Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-engineering-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Oxnard College, our #1 best value for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Sequoias earned it the #2 place for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician will find it at Imperial Valley College, which ranked #5. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Gavilan College came in at #6 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $5,939. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College placed #7 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $48,911. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Sacramento City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $13,180. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College came in at #9 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Cypress College placed #10 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Merced College placed #11 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Merced College earn a median of $45,032 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,024 median debt.
Orange Coast College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Bakersfield College landed the #13 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $9,419. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
El Camino Community College District placed #14 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Palomar College landed the #15 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Chaffey College came in at #16 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Truckee Meadows Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,352, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.
Foothill College landed the #18 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Bernardino Valley College came in at #19 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. San Bernardino Valley College is a large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, compared with $4,528 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from San Bernardino Valley College generally make around $69,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Antelope Valley College landed the #20 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #21 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College landed the #22 spot for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician value this year. Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates is $14,833. Soon after graduation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician degree recipients from Los Angeles Trade Technical College generally make around $43,340. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
West Hills College Coalinga placed #23 among the best values for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician. West Hills College Coalinga is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Coalinga. In-state tuition and fees average $1,384, compared with $10,954 for out-of-state students. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineering Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,920 in student loans. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $41,726. That is a strong return on a $9,920 median debt.
College Of The Desert came in at #24 for value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician this year. College Of The Desert is a large public school located in the city of Palm Desert. In-state tuition and fees average $1,326, compared with $10,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,826 to complete the heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician program here. Early-career heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laney College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Oakland, Laney College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,898. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,282 ten years after entry.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in heating, ventilation, air conditioning & refrigeration engineering technology/technician:
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.